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Taking a Toxin's Fingerprint Reveals Potential Hazards

Posted September 18, 2014 12:00 AM by Engineering360 eNewsletter

In an age of chemical biological warfare, hazardous spills, and terrorist threats, detecting the presence of toxic chemicals is a growing concern. The problem is that current detection methods can be slow and imprecise. Now, researchers in Scotland are developing a portable laser device that can rapidly identify a hazardous substance. The technology uses lasers that pulse light lasting less than one millionth of one millionth of a second to read a chemical's 'color fingerprint' and detect whether it's toxic or not.


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#1

Re: Taking a Toxin's Fingerprint Reveals Potential Hazards

09/18/2014 10:46 AM

Then it may become common practice to scan all the currency on a regular basis.

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Re: Taking a Toxin's Fingerprint Reveals Potential Hazards

09/19/2014 11:26 AM

I thought we already knew the currency was contaminated all manner of street drugs? There may come a time when our enemies are more interested in chemical/biological warfare against us, and the fleet of detection devices should always be made (1) more precise in the results, (2) higher throughput, (3) affordable enough to have them where needed.

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Re: Taking a Toxin's Fingerprint Reveals Potential Hazards

09/19/2014 12:21 PM

It was also well known that one of the best and most efficient delivery systems would be containment/tainted bills.

The other one which would be a little more difficult would be ...... toilet paper.

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#4

Re: Taking a Toxin's Fingerprint Reveals Potential Hazards

09/19/2014 2:59 PM

Shortly after 911, I retrieved a customers email request asking for "a small pump to supply spray nozzles to fit in a small aircraft."

Research into the origin of the email message, showed a non-existent address in southern California.

I passed all information on to the local FBI office.

I still wonder what the outcome of this was.

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#5
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Re: Taking a Toxin's Fingerprint Reveals Potential Hazards

09/22/2014 12:00 PM

That's because their new address should have been listed as Guantanamo.

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